Recently, numerous support programs for unemployed youths have appeared. These programs aim to raise the personal abilities of youths by helping them to search for their own paths that fit the needs of society and their own personal desires. However, there are some controversial issues over this project.
  While the youth unemployment rate has reached 12.5% in 2016, the highest record after the IMF crisis, local governments have presented policies for supporting youth employment. Seongnam has managed a youth project since last year by offering local gift certificates. Incheon also has managed a youth internship program, and Sokcho and Goseong are supporting youths by providing indirect benefits, such as exemption from rent fees, instead of giving money directly. Seoul has managed a ‘Youth Activity Aid Project’ since August 2016, which gives 500,000 won monthly for up to six months to young people who are chosen through an evaluation. Busan has managed a youth mentor project since August that pays wages to unemployed youths who graduated from university. This project sends the youths to elementary schools to teach schoolchildren basic subjects and to take care of them after school.
  However, these kinds of policies are controversial over their effectiveness. Concerning the ‘Youth Allowance Policy’ in Seoul, an official from the Health and Human Services claimed that this policy wouldn’t be a fundamental solution of youth unemployment and that it is just a project of populism for unspecific individuals. Seoul has lost authority from the Ministry of Health and Welfare over the policies for supporting youth employment, so they are waiting on the judgement of the Supreme Court.
  In reality, it seems that a number of students doubt the support policies for youth employment. Gachon University student Hwang Hye-jun(’12, Dept. of Fine Arts) said, “The amount of money is so small that it cannot bear my tuition fee, and the period of benefit is too short. It’s rather better for me to prepare my resume and interview skills instead of preparing documents to receive a youth allowance.” Moreover, CBNU student Lim Su-jin(’15, Dept. of Urban Engineering) said, “I didn’t know about such youth support programs like ‘Youth Remuneration’. I hope Cheong-ju prepares internships instead of providing youth allowances.”
  Seoul City Hall indicated its official stance on its website. They indicated that the reason why they offer youth allowances is that the central government has supported over 2 trillion won annually for job creation for the next generation, but unemployment problems rarely got better. In addition, youth support projects can be a practical help for young people who are dealing with the failure of getting a job, or even a part-time job, and who are having financial difficulties.
  Korean youth projects are still in the first stage. If the government listens to the opinions of youths and arranges efficient policies, the youths will hopefully lift the job-seeking burden from their shoulders.

By Kim Hyo-seon
hs37@cbnu.ac.kr